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The Citi Performing Arts Center's calendar of musicals, operas, rock concerts, dance productions, standup comedians, and classic-film screenings is a culmination of its decades as a Boston historical landmark. Starting out in 1925 as a "movie cathedral," the theater?then a renovated arts center capable of housing the most ambitiously scaled Broadway productions?morphed into the headquarters of the Boston Ballet. Throughout all its names and incarnations, the venue has retained the grandeur and luster of some long-lost wing of Versailles. In the lobby, dark-veined columns carved from imported marble vault skyward toward an arched ceiling and an enormous crystal chandelier that hangs like a pendulum from its center. In the theater itself, frescoes and intricate filigree surround the golden cupola that looms over a sea of scarlet velvet seats?a sight as awe-inspiring to audiences as it is terrifying to first-graders performing their first clarinet recital there.

Francophiles, oenophiles and jazz lovers adore Les Zygomates, a French wine bar/bistro in the Leather District that offers something for each kind of fan. The name of the restaurant roughly translates to “the muscles in the face that make you smile,” which it aims to inspire with its French cuisine, award-winning wine list and live jazz and blues performances offered most nights. The dinner prix-fixe three-course menu is a popular option, as are bistro standards like French onion soup, escargot with garlic butter and steak frites. The restaurant also has a popular raw bar with a changing roster of fresh seafood. One of the best deals is a dish composed of half a dozen oysters and clams, four shrimp and two crab claws. It is perfect for matching with a glass of wine or a creative cocktail like the Dead Can Dance.

Take a seat at Wally's Cafe for an inviting cafe experience in the middle of town.
Dieters beware — Wally's Cafe does not offer low-fat cuisine.
Drinks are also on the menu here, so patrons can start the night off right.
Enjoy live music with your food and drinks at Wally's Cafe as well.
Volume levels at the restaurant can approach ear-splitting levels between the noisy crowds and the booming music.
If you're heading out on a Friday or Saturday, keep in mind that the restaurant gets busy.
Put the suit away when heading to Wally's Cafe — dress is casual, as are the vibes.
Brush up on your parallel parking skills — the restaurant's Massachusetts Ave location offers nearby street parking.
Or, if you prefer, leave the car at home and catch public transportation at nearby stops at Massachusetts Ave. Station (Orange), Symphony Station (Green), and Prudential Station (Green).
Prices at Wally's Cafe typically stay below the $30 mark, so you can afford to bring along a friend or a date.

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title: Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen
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html_text: Jazz has had many homes over the years. Born in the South, moving to New Orleans and Chicago, and a world traveler in its old age, the musical form brings to mind myriad influences. Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen is inspired by the storied musical form, from its lively cuisine to its song-filled atmosphere. Live jazz musicians coax classic strains and improvised notes from their instruments Tuesday through Sunday, drawing from every chapter of the genre’s varied history. Chefs riff on the bluesy style with a delectable menu of Southern eats, from crispy cheese grits with shrimp to fried chicken atop buttermilk waffles. The club’s vibrant lights and exposed-brick walls call to mind some of the most renowned jazz bars to be found in New Orleans or Chicago. To enhance this antique-nightclub atmosphere, bartenders whip up a lineup of craft cocktails while referring to their patrons as “hot chick” or “cool Felis catus.”

If you have yet to eat at Ryles Jazz Club, now is a great time to check out the popular southern restaurant. It's a popular restaurant for visitors looking for outstanding food.
If you're wanting to plan ahead, most people will claim that later in the week (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) is the best time to visit. There's no specific recommended attire, so feel free to dress casually and comfortably. Also, if you're in the mood for tunes, it's one of the better places for live music.
When you get there, think about ordering the barbecue sauce or the french toast, as either one will make a good impression. In terms of the restaurant itself, it's been tabbed as a nice option for both large groups and dancing. In addition to its convenient take-out offerings, the restaurant even provides catering for events around town. Or, if you just want to pop in for a beverage, the restaurant does have a pretty decent selection at its bar.
Specializing in breakfast, brunch, and lunch, Ryles Jazz Club definitely won't leave you disappointed. Its jazz music is known to be "nice." Visitors to the restaurant have access to a private lot nearby or can park on the street. Should you prefer to pedal over there, bicycle parking's also provided.

Groupon Guide

Couples have been tapping their toes and squeezing into booths at jazz clubs for more than a century. Customs change, however, and somewhere along the way people started becoming less sure of how to actually behave at a show. These days, the whole experience seems to have, if not a formality, a secret language that can leave first-timers scratching their heads. Dave Jemilo, the owner of Chicago jazz institution The Green Mill, thinks it shouldn’t be that way. With his help, we’ve put together a guide that answers some common questions about jazz and its performance venues. Read on, and the next time you get the urge to cut a rug or bob to the beat, you’ll be armed with everything you need to know.That bass solo was great! Am I allowed to clap?“It’s pretty much standard to clap after solos,” Jemilo explains, but you should definitely wait to make sure the solo’s actually over. It’s common for bands to engage in a technique called “trading fours,” in which various members play four-bar solos one after another. Instead of clapping after each of these, wait for the song to return to its principal melody and then clap all you want. If all else fails, Jemilo suggests watching other people in the crowd for a cue.Can I snap some quick photos on my phone?For better or worse, smartphones are a common sight at jazz clubs and they aren’t going away anytime soon. If you must take a photo, try to keep your phone out of sight and always remember to turn the flash off. And, though a quick photo is generally OK, keep your phone tucked away for the rest of the performance. “If you’re right in the front row and you’re texting the whole time,” Jemilo says, “the bands get really aggravated.”Can I chat with my date during the show?Talking during a jazz show is a faux pas that trips up many first-timers, especially those who come to socialize and view the band merely as background noise. “It’s not polite, especially if the band’s quieter,” Jemilo says. Louder bands allow for a little more chatter, but it’s important to be mindful of what’s going on around you—if a bass solo kicks in, for example, it’s time to quiet down. This policy has its benefits; if you’re on a date and it’s not going well, you can always suggest an avant-garde jazz show. Chatter is highly discouraged, “so you have a reason not to talk without being rude!”I want another drink. When’s a good time to ask?This can vary depending on the place. If there’s table service, feel free to order drinks whenever your server comes around. Otherwise, it’s not absolutely necessary to wait for a song to end before getting up to use the restroom or order a drink at the bar, though it is considered good manners. In any case, drink up. “That’s how the joint stays open and makes enough money to have the band play,” Jemilo wisely points out.I love this song! Can I get up and dance?Well, maybe. The band might not always take it as a compliment if you get up and start moving to the beat. If the dance floor isn’t open, “the focus should be on the band. When you start dancing in the aisle … you’re actually being inconsiderate” by shifting attention away from the band, Jemilo explains. Call ahead of time and ask the club if the dance floor will be open, and pay attention to the calendar, as big bands and swing bands are more likely to welcome dancing.Photos courtesy of: Flickr user Keith Cooper; Sarah Gorr, Groupon.